Empty Tomb Rolls

I’m always searching for creative ways to teach my children Bible stories. My kids learn better with hands-on activities while we are talking and then being able to visualize what we are talking about. I first heard about Empty Tomb Rolls several years ago and I know they are all over the web now, but I’ve got one trick up my sleeve that makes them pretty much fool proof.

From my research years ago, most people complained that the rolls opened during cooking allowing the marshmallow and all the goodness to flow right on pan leaving behind a sad and pathetic roll…that doesn’t help when trying to bring home the point of the story.

To teach the story of Easter read the story from the Bible found in Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24 (my favorite version), and/or John 19-20. (If you are not familiar with the Bible the same story is recounted by these four men…the story is virtually the same but is found in these four places in the Bible.) I’ve included a little legend for how to relate the story to the Empty Tomb Rolls, just in case you couldn’t figure it out.

Jesus —marshmallow

After Jesus died on the cross he was wrapped in linen— roll in butter and cinnamon

Jesus put into tomb — crescent roll dough

3rd day Jesus has risen and no longer in tomb — open cooked roll to find no marshmallow

Instructions

Separate rolls into eight triangles and set aside. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Dip each marshmallow into butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar and place on a triangle dough. Pinch dough around marshmallow, sealing all edges. Make sure to seal well or all the marshmallow will escape.

Dip tops of dough into the remaining butter and then into the cinnamon-sugar. Place roll with the sugar side up into prepared muffin cups.

Bake at 375 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes. Eat warm.

Opt: Read the Easter story from the Bible found in Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, and/or John 19-20. If you are not familiar with the Bible the story is recounted by these four men...the story is virtually the same but is found in these four places in the Bible.

Jesus —marshmallow

After Jesus died on the cross he was wrapped in linen— roll in butter and cinnamon

Jesus put into tomb — crescent roll dough

rd day Jesus has risen and no longer in tomb — open cooked roll to find no marshmallow

Comments

I found this on Pinterest and made it this morning. Delicious and easy! Thanks so much. My kids are tween/teens, but we still talked about the symbolism involved before putting it in the oven. I'm so glad you shared this idea.

I made these this year; thank you for sharing! This was too easy, and I might have to make them more than just around Easter! My only complaint is that I couldn't control myself and ate an entire batch all by myself in one afternoon! O.O

You ! Are an answer to my prayers!! I, for the first time ever , am a Sunday school Teacher!! We take turns as teachers , and bring all the children together for the bible story , and then go back to small groups, in different age groups. This Sunday is MY time! On EASTER!! I can use these rolls, the scriptures you gave and the bible story, along with your story behind these rolls , to explain the Crucifixion and Resurrection to children ,from 2 years old ,all the way to 13 years old! I am still a little nervous.....but, now I have a wonderful way to teach....... to me!........... The most important day of the year!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

It IS the most important day of the year! I'm so excited that you will be using these rolls as a lesson for your Sunday School class. It really is helpful for the kids to have a visual they can relate to in order to understand what Jesus did for us. Please tag me in any photos you share...I'd love to see how they turn out. w-

These rolls are just too neat! I have never heard of them before but found them on Pinterest! Sound easy, delicious and I love that they are inspired by scripture. My nieces and nephews would love to do this! Great post and thanks for sharing!

You can use the gluten free flour mix from jules gluten free (they also have a recipe to make your own) and use in any crescent recipe subbing this where all purpose flour is called for, or google many of the wonderful gluten free recipes.One of my mom's favourite gluten free recipe sites is baking beauties.

these are absolutely wonderful at Easter, either hot or cold, and are always a HUGE hit.....a little something you could add to your narrative is that the marshmallow represents Jesus, the butter and cinnamon represent the annointing oils that were rubbed on him after He was taken down from the Cross, the crescent dough represents the linens He was wrapped in, and the oven represents the tomb.....

Your pictures are fantastic, and I love how you rolled the dough around.
I've done these before with my daughters and they are a lot of fun. Our recipe did not have pics :o)
So glad I found your blog.
-Amanda

I've never heard of these before. I have been looking for a dessert my grandson can eat due to his allergies. This one would work, and it will tie in perfectly for our Easter dinner! Thank you so much for sharing, I will be doing this while we read the story from the Bible. I know he'll love the dessert and the meaning behind it.
Debbie :)

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[…] The children each placed a marshmallow in their cup of dough to represent Jesus. I love the way Wendy explains the Empty Tomb Rolls on her site. While deep in though with my cooked dough it occurred to me how our physical bodies, […]